Discover Central Mongolia of Ancient History

Today we will be driving to Karakorum. Karakorum was the capital of Genghis Khan’s Mongolian Empire in the thirteenth century. In 1220, Genghis Khan ordered the building of Karakorum on the ruins of Turug and Uigur cities in the Orkhon valley at the eastern end of the Khangai Mountains. During the reign of Ugedei Khan, it was completed 15 years later. The town was very multicultural and culturally accepting.

The silver tree, which was once part of Möngke Khan’s palace, has become Karakorum’s emblem. From 1220 to 1260, it was at its most prosperous. Karakorum existed as the great capital of the Euro-Asian Empire, with Mongolia at its heart, and as the epicenter of politics, trade, culture, faith, intellect, and diplomacy, as well as the most visible link in international relations.

Between 1260 and 1380, Karakorum lost its status as the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire and became Mongolia’s capital. When Kublai Khan and his younger brother, Ariq Boke, assumed the throne of the Mongol Empire in 1260, they moved their capital to what is now Beijing. Karakorum was reduced to the administrative center of a Yuan Dynasty provincial backwater.

After 110 years after Kublai Khan transferred the Empire capital to China in 1260, the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty fell in 1368, and the center of Mongolian government was shifted to its homeland. It allowed Karakorum to regain its former glory.

The town was captured and destroyed by Ming troops under General Xu Da in 1388. Nothing remains of this legendary city today.

When Abtai Sain Khan and his brother, Lord Tumenkhen, went to the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1580 to express their desire to create a temple in Mongolia, he advised them to restore an old temple in Karakorum. The Main Zuu temple of Erdene Zuu monastery is a temple in Takhai ruins that was restored in 1588 at the Dalai Lama’s suggestion.

Erdene Zuu Monastery is now all that is left of what was once a massive monastery with 100 temples and over 1.000 lamas. You’ll walk around the grounds of Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is encircled by huge 400 m X 400 m walls. You will be guided around the 3 remaining temples: the Dalai Lama, Zuu of Buddha and Lavrin Temple.

The Karakorum Archaeological Museum will be another stop on your itinerary. It’s a tiny museum, but it’s housed in a new, well-run structure with good lighting and simple English labels on display cases. The displays contain hundreds of artefacts from the 13th and 14th centuries that were discovered in the immediate region, as well as those from other provinces’ archaeological sites, including prehistoric stone tools. Pottery, bronzes, coins, religious sculptures, and stone inscriptions are among the objects on display. A half-excavated kiln is also sunk into the museum floor. The scale model of ancient Karakorum, which attempts to reflect the city as it would have existed in the 1250s and is based on descriptions written by the French missionary William of Rubruck, is perhaps the most intriguing. A Turkic noble tomb with wall paintings and artefacts, including gold objects and jewels, is on display in another chamber. A short video of the actual burial site is available.

You can also visit the Turtle Rock and the Phallic Rock, as well as a small market that showcases local artists’ work.

Today we will be driving westwards into the Orkhon Valley, where the Orkhon River flows, after breakfast at the ger camp.

UNESCO has designated the valley as a World Cultural Heritage site because of ancient artifacts dating back to the early 6th century and even earlier. Moreover, the great Mongol empire expanded its capital Karakorum here from the 12th to 13th centuries. Furthermore, the pasture nomadic lifestyle has persisted, preserving both the historic and nomadic perspectives on life.

During the Quaternary period, a volcano erupted near the mouth of the Tsagaan Azarga, also known as the White Stallion River, and the lava flowed down the Orkhon valley, creating a 10-meter-thick layer of basaltic rocks. The Orkhon River cut through the basaltic layer twice, resulting in the formation of the canyon.

Today we will be driving westwards into the Orkhon Valley, where the Orkhon River flows, after breakfast at the ger camp.

UNESCO has designated the valley as a World Cultural Heritage site because of ancient artifacts dating back to the early 6th century and even earlier. Moreover, the great Mongol empire expanded its capital Karakorum here from the 12th to 13th centuries. Furthermore, the pasture nomadic lifestyle has persisted, preserving both the historic and nomadic perspectives on life.

During the Quaternary period, a volcano erupted near the mouth of the Tsagaan Azarga, also known as the White Stallion River, and the lava flowed down the Orkhon valley, creating a 10-meter-thick layer of basaltic rocks. The Orkhon River cut through the basaltic layer twice, resulting in the formation of the canyon.

We will be going to Khogno Khan National Park today. We will trek in the Khogno Khan Mountains at the end of the day, walking up the mountain and taking in the incredible views of the hills, sand dunes, and grasslands. We'll also pay a visit to the charming Ovgon Monastery. 

The Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune, also known as Little Gobi, is a 100-kilometer-long sand dune.

The time has come to leave and drive back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. You can use your free afternoon to see as you fit to do some shopping maybe cashmere. In the evening we will go see lovely cultural show and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances and the famous Mongolian throat singers.

We'll leave UB early in the morning to the direction of Terelj National Park, located 70 km from the capital and travel through a valley surrounded on all sides by forested hillsides and stunning granite cliffs. Wildflowers and plants blanket the valley, which is home to peacefully grazing herds of yaks, horses, goats, and sheep. The park with its granite rocks, pine trees and river is a picturesque area that is perfect for hiking, horse riding, swimming or just sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view. We will visit several sightseeing places in the area.

Our first stop will be the Genghis Khan Monument will be the second stop. The latter is a massive aluminum statue of Genghis Khan mounted on his horse. It is possible to ascend to the top of the monument, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. A small museum provides a thorough overview of the history of the Great Mongol Empire, including the succession lines of the great Khans and their invasions. We will visit Turtle Rock and the Aryaval Monastery, a small meditation monastery at the foot of the mountain. There are good possibilities for hiking, climbing, and horseback riding.

Transfer to the airport.